Lars Uebel - "The very good coach has to work at TennisBase Oberhaching"
The head coach of the Bavarian Tennis Association in the tennisnet interview about the difficult step from junior to professional, about the new opportunities at TennisBase in Oberhaching and about Jannik Sinner.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 10, 2019, 02:53 pm
tennisnet : Mr. Uebel. What are the biggest improvements that the reconstruction of TennisBase in Oberhaching has brought?
Lars Uebel : First of all, it brings us easier working conditions. We have adjusted the center to the required events for the year 2019. The former gym is now the coaching office, as you can already see how the dimensions have changed. We did not have a sports hall, that was no longer up-to-date if you wanted to live up to your expectations in preparation, after-care and rehab training.
tennisnet : In the sports-specific area?
Uebel : Since we have two new tennis courts get there to get even more younger players to Oberhaching. And get used to the TennisBase and the trainers who work here. Already the nine to twelve year olds should feel comfortable here.
tennisnet : However, success is not guaranteed.
Evil : Of course not. For example: If I was a father now and would tell my son he has two options: either to go to TennisBase and not have a good coach there, or to stretch a net across the street and practice with a very good coach , 90 percent would probably opt for the very good coach. Even though you may have to accept losses in winter because of the bad weather. For us, therefore, the goal is that this very good coach has to work in the TennisBase Oberhaching.
tennisnet : But how do you find these good coaches?
Uebel : This is a very difficult process. You have to find young, motivated trainers who want to be part of a team that also has the ability to train with women or men, but also in the youth field. Not every professional coach is good for the youth sector and vice versa. Add to that the question of how to train the existing coaching staff. That's certainly my job too. That worked very well with Lukas Wolf.
tennisnet : Do you sometimes watch trainers you think: Oops, that would suit us well?
Uebel : I see something like that more often. And that is then discussed here with the managing directors. But we still have no unlimited resources here. I can not bring in every coach I want. It's more like finding young trainers and training them. That we are now presenting a big name is unlikely. Just because we've just converted 13.5 million euros does not mean that we can now bring a man like Larry Stefanki to Oberhaching.
"You can only congratulate Riccardo Piatti on Jannik Sinner"
tennisnet : Where does the job of the Bavarian Tennis Association stop? When approaching professional tennis - or does the claim include care in professional tennis?
Uebel : Of course we want to do everything. The question is, is that possible? My task at the TennisBase will change from January 1, 2020, I will take over the overall management. In other words, supervising professional and youth sports organisationally. Because in the internal analysis, we realized that we had big problems in the transition from youth to professional. In my opinion, this is the core of the Bavarian Tennis Association. The professional section is the cherry on top, I do not want to miss that. But the next task is to train the next German player to celebrate success at the Grand Slams.
tennisnet : From what age can you assess whether a professional career for a young player, a young player is possible?
Uebel : You can see that pretty early. I had the Rudi Molleker with me at the age of twelve in Munich. I would have already bet a lot of money that he will play tennis well. Max Rehberg certainly has potential, has just become German champion in the U16. And now we are not looking to win the title in U18, but that he will play in the Grand Slams in four or five years. I think we put too much emphasis on rankings in the past, U14 through U18, and did not look too closely at what a player has to play in the big tournaments.
tennisnet : Are we correctly interpreting that junior grand slams are not that important to you then?
Evil : You interpret that wrong. These tournaments have a high priority, although there are always exceptions: I would immediately take a player like Jannik Sinner, even though he probably has not played in any junior major. This career is outstanding, you can only congratulate Riccardo Piatti. But that is a wishful thinking. But the penultimate and the last year of adolescence are very important, because you play there with the people, who will later also be good.